Soccer body launches probe after locker room video of Suriname vice president raises ‘integrity issues’

Suriname is a South American country with a population of nearly 600,000, but Brunswijk has just taken time out from his vice-presidential duties to captain the club that he owns, Inter Moengotapoe, in a CONCACAF League match, a second-tier international club competition akin to UEFA’s Europa League. Inter eventually lost 6-0 against Honduran side CD Olimpia on Tuesday, according to the official CONCACAF match report. Brunswijk “made history by becoming the oldest player, at 60 years of age, to play in an international club competition,” according to ESPN. But it’s not just his exploits on the pitch that’s raising eyebrows; it’s what allegedly happened after the game that has led to CONCACAF launching a formal investigation. In a “Like I said, today we did our job,” he added. A journalist also asked Gustavo Reggi, CD Olimpia assistant coach, if he felt disrespected by Brunswijk’s appearance. Reggi said they found out that the vice president would play half an hour before the game started, but said it was a matter for Inter Moengotapoe, not his team. “Whoever is in front of us, we have to give our all,” said Reggi. CNN has contacted CD Olimpia, Inter Moengotapoe, CONCACAF and the office of the Surinamese Vice President for comment. Suriname is a former Dutch colony which gained independence in 1975. Brunswijk has a widely reported backstory, including a conviction in the Netherlands for drug trafficking, but became vice-president in July 2020. The Dutch court system did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for more details about the conviction. “Everything I have, I give it to the people,” Brunswijk told the New York Times in January. “Ever since I was a child, I wanted to help others. I now have the chance to help the whole country.” Chan Santokhi was elected president at the time, and referenced Brunswijk’s checkered past. “Mr. Brunswijk has his history. We could look at his history and see that as a barrier,” Santokhi told the New York Times.”We’re looking forward to a better future, because we are two leaders who have been entrusted to lead this nation together.”